What are the legal and organizational complexities of a group of four, and ultimately more, humans living completely independent from Earth society? What type of person can thrive in the extreme isolation situation required for a trip to and life on Mars?

Mars One is constructing a collection of essays with Dallas publisher BenBella Books to explore the human factors of the planned mission to Mars. With a goal of a mission shared by all of humankind, Mars One will be sharing insider thoughts and viewpoints on some of the most provocative questions being asked about the mission today.

The selection of Mars One Chief Medical Officer Norbert Kraft, MD as editor provides a strong element of expertise to the project. With a long history in astronaut selection and crew preparation at NASA and the Japanese Space Agency, Dr. Kraft is well aware of the risks and challenges for the Mars settlers. He has also spent 110 days in group isolation as commander of an international mixed gender crew and spaceflight simulation experiment in Moscow, Russia.

Mars One: The Human Factor will explore the various human dimensions of the Mars mission planned by Mars One. In this incredible group of essays, leading psychologists, historians, journalists, extreme condition survivalists, Mars One leaders, and others will consider the most fascinating questions about the upcoming mission. “There are many tough, philosophical, and scientific questions that need to be answered about our upcoming selection of the four heroic individuals that will lead us on our mission to Mars,” says Norbert Kraft, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Mars One. “We’re pleased to be able to provide a real-time look at many of these issues being raised by the inquisitive minds of our community.” Questions explored will include:

How will the selection process assure that the four members selected can get along?

How do cultural background, age and gender play a role in crew selection?

What can we learn from past historical moments similar to the Mars One crew selection?

How will people be affected knowing that hundreds of millions, or possibly billions, of people will be following them?

What skills will the crew need to survive and ultimately thrive on Mars?

Along with the essays, readers will have an insider look at the minds of the crew applicants through letters written by the applicants themselves. The planned release of the book is Spring of 2015, however, for a limited time, autographed collector copies of the book will be available through the Mars One crowd-funding campaign between today and the end of the campaign.

About Mars One
Mars One is a not-for-profit foundation that will establish permanent human life on Mars. Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies. Mars One’s mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon will captivate and inspire generations. It is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars.

About BenBella Books
BenBella Books is the publisher of a range of nonfiction titles, including international bestseller The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, and Campbell’s New York Times bestseller Whole. With eleven New York Times bestsellers and many strong science titles, as well as over 100 anthologies, BenBella is one of today’s fastest growing independent publishers.